Michael Aninghttp://michaelaning.com
Mosaic Mortgage GroupMon, 17 Oct 2016 15:33:52 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.10Properties With Non-Permitted Constructionhttp://michaelaning.com/properties-non-permitted-construction/
Tue, 02 Dec 2014 23:31:10 +0000http://michaelaning.com/?p=430There are many properties in the Bay Area that have had some sort of modification without approval and permits by the city. In many cases, mostly upgrades, these modifications are undetectable as in a remodeled bathroom without changes to the overall footprint. Other additions such as an enclosed patio or changes to bedroom or bathroom […]

]]>There are many properties in the Bay Area that have had some sort of modification without approval and permits by the city. In many cases, mostly upgrades, these modifications are undetectable as in a remodeled bathroom without changes to the overall footprint. Other additions such as an enclosed patio or changes to bedroom or bathroom count are detectable and noticed by the appraiser when verifying the property against county records. These modifications do not automatically exclude a property from being eligible for financing but there are a few important notes that the appraiser needs to address to remain compliant:

1. The appraiser must acknowledge the Non-Permitted construction and specifically comment on four things:

a.That there are no Health & Safety issues.

b.That the work was performed/completed in a workman like manner.

c.The appraiser must measure and comment on the quality of the work and what impact, if any, it may have on the marketability of the subject (Best case is ZERO impact).

d.The appraiser must also estimate a cost to return the home to its previous, permitted state and if extensive, include in his opinion of value.

2. If it is your listing, be mindful of the notes you put on the MLS regarding any non-permitted work as the appraiser will have access these comments, especially if they are too specific in nature.

As you preview properties with these types of additions, it is extremely helpful to have us preview the MLS in advance to advise prior to writing your offer. In times past, Non-Permitted additions were extremely taboo and many lenders did not lend on these properties. Period. We are happy to report, that those times are in the past and we can now move these homes.

]]>The Top Time Management Mistake Most of Us Makehttp://michaelaning.com/the-top-time-management-mistake-most-of-us-make/
Wed, 27 Aug 2014 23:20:32 +0000http://michaelaning.com/?p=121How many of us find ourselves constantly distracted from the things that really matter? At any given moment, there are so many flags waving, trying to get our attention. Social media, the Internet, phone calls, text messages, not to mention the gluttonous appetite of our email inbox. Somehow we’ve been trained into thinking we MUST […]

]]>How many of us find ourselves constantly distracted from the things that really matter?

At any given moment, there are so many flags waving, trying to get our attention. Social media, the Internet, phone calls, text messages, not to mention the gluttonous appetite of our email inbox.

Somehow we’ve been trained into thinking we MUST answer that call, respond to that text or email, and continuously keep abreast on the status of our social media connections.

As such, the days fly by in a flurry of activity, yet our To Do list somehow is always untouched.

“But”, you tell yourself, “I was busy all day!” It’s truly astonishing how we can appear to be doing so much yet accomplishing so little.

Why is it that we find it so easy to be pulled away from our priorities?

Social media isn’t the cause of this issue but it most certainly contributes to our interruption infatuation.

A study conducted at Stanford University showed that ‘heavy media multi-taskers’ are more vulnerable to irrelevant environmental interference than those who are ‘light media multi-taskers’. In fact, heavy media multi-tasking tends to incite more general multi-tasking, leading to a ‘reduced ability to filter out unwanted intrusions. In a nutshell, the more we get distracted, the more out of control we become and as such, the more vicious the cycle.

The Myth of Multi-Tasking

Our list of To Dos often feels infinite, especially when extraneous influences continually divert us. As such, many of us turn to multi-tasking, attempting to get more done in less time. Multi-tasking is defined as ‘doing 2 or more unrelated activities simultaneously’. But research has been proven that our brains can only truly focus on one thing at a time. Ultimately that means we are doing a lot of things poorly or simply spin our wheels without getting much accomplished.

How the 80/20 Rule Can Help

Employing Pareto’s Principle, otherwise known as the 80/20 Rule, can help us break out of this distraction cycle. Named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, this Principle basically states that 80% of things are trivial while only 20% are vital.

This rule can be applied to almost anything and can be a tremendously valuable tool to manage your time and priorities effectively.

Of all the things you do each day, only 20% really matter. That 20% produces 80% of your results. Identify and focus on those things. If something on your daily agenda has to give, make sure it isn’t one of those vital priorities.

80% of your time and energy should be directed on that critical 20%. Rather than working ‘hard’ and multi-tasking yourself into a deeper hole day after day, work smart by focusing on the right things.

As quoted in the book, “The Tao of Warren Buffet” by Mary Buffett and David Clark, “You only have to do a few things right in your life, so long as you don’t do too many things wrong. Sometimes what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.”

8 Steps to Prioritizing and Staying Focused

To determine your key priorities, begin with an action list.

At the end of each day, write down in order the top 6 things you need to accomplish the next day.

The first item is your focus for the next day.

Write it on a sticky note and place it in a prominent place.

Schedule dedicated, uninterrupted time, say 60-90 minutes, to work on that project. Get right to it. Nothing else takes precedence.

Do not answer calls, check emails, respond to texts or fall into the social media abyss. If you feel the urge, look at that sticky note as a reminder to stay focused.

Once your dedicated time is up, take a short break to address any calls or emails. And if you must, get your social media fix.

Now that your top priority is completed or well underway, move onto priority #2 on your list.

These 8 simple actions can help you focus and use your time more productively. It may take awhile to wean yourself from your distraction habits and multi-tasking madness but stick with it and soon enough, you will find that your time management and efficiency will dramatically improve.

]]>15 Steps to Successhttp://michaelaning.com/15-steps-to-success/
Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:20:10 +0000http://michaelaning.com/?p=119“What is success? I think it’s a mixture of having a flair for the thing you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.” ~Margaret Thatcher We all have different ideas of what success means in our life. But no matter […]

“What is success? I think it’s a mixture of having a flair for the thing you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.” ~Margaret Thatcher

We all have different ideas of what success means in our life. But no matter what your definition of success involves, achieving that accomplishment involves some universal actions and attitudes. Here are 15 steps to move you along the path to realizing your goals and dreams.

Positive Thinking: Optimism and thinking about what you want to achieve is a necessary condition for bringing out your strengths, capabilities and talents.

Do What You Love: Find your element: the right occupation, field of study, hobby, etc. that is in line with your passion and your capabilities. Be honest with yourself about your purpose in life. Then go for it!
Have a Big, Bold, Clear Vision: know what you want and where you’re headed.

Set Aside Time for Daily ‘Reflection’: Nurture your vision every day by spending 20-30 minutes alone contemplating your goals, how you’ll achieve them and where you want to be in 5 years.

Avoid Over Planning: Setting a strategy to reach your goals is great, but over planning can result in paralysis. Perfection isn’t reality. Set goals, execute and fine-tune along the way.

Develop a Work-Life Balance: Avoid becoming a workaholic. Spend time with friends and family, have fun and enjoy life. It is critical to recharge and rejuvenate yourself.

Exercise: Keeping fit and healthy is a must. It reduces stress and gets creative juices flowing.

Be Willing to Try, Try Again: know that mistakes and failures are not setbacks but rather move you closer to your goals and dreams. Stay in the game: don’t give up!

Be A Life-Long Learner: Learning doesn’t end when you get your degree. Read books and articles. Attend seminars and workshops. Continually acquire information about what interests you.

Write It Down: When you get sudden flash of genius, write it down. Keep a journal handy or make a note on your Smartphone of your ideas for future reference.

Take The Lead: Plan your family vacation, coach a team, organize a team building event. Taking leadership roles will boost your self-confidence.

Keep Your Priorities on Track: Steer clear of behaviors, activities and attitudes that can derail your goals. Use your resources wisely, stay focused, avoid becoming complacent, learn to say no to things that steer you off track.

Be Present: Focus on what you are doing right this moment. Concentrate on the conversation you are having or the activity you’re engaged in. Don’t worry about the past or contemplate the future.

Cultivate Relationships: Develop genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. Surround yourself with people that inspire and support you, that have similar ideas and philosophies. Treat everyone with genuine respect and kindness. Always express your appreciation.